I start in two weeks!!!!!

[Apple]

!!!!!!!

Not Idaho, but my hometown.

There could still be a hiccup in the next week, so crossing my fingers that won't happen, but if I can pass the next week without them backing out on the agreement, I get to leave my current location.

I will be making a career change, but I'm ok with that (in fact, for the hometown location, I wanted that change-- a lot of people have bailed, or tried to bail, out of the electrical crew there, and I didn't want to jump out of one fire and into another).  

I will be facing a pay cut in two years, but hopefully cost-of-living adjustments will allow me to at least stay with the pay I'm at now by then.  I plan to put as much money as I can into savings until then (I'm hoping $1k cash/month, we'll see).  That would allow me to make sure that I don't increase my lifestyle or anything.  Along with that though, no more $200+/month in gas, no more 90 mile round-trip commute every day.  I'm trading that for a 7-10 minute commute (and, close enough that if I wanted to bike it, I could).

I will go from working four tens to a rotating 12 hour shift (three 12s and an 8 one week, three 12s the next week, for 80 hours in 7 days).  So... I'm cutting my work days down every week.  As I become familiar with the job, there is lots of overtime availability, and the promotion potential is better (highest paid position for the trades, and there are five positions, I believe).  Or, I could just decide I love what I do and not want to go for the promotion (although it would be about a $9/hour raise from what I'd be doing).

I was still a little nervous about the change, if it was really the right thing (I know getting out of my current location is the best, but wasn't 100% sure about the career change, because what will the people who work there think...?  Who will I be paired up with...?  Etc...)  That was all laid to rest last night.  I was paying for my groceries and about to leave the store, when I hear this guy ask me if I put in for the job in my hometown.  I turn, and it's a guy I went to college with, but never really worked with.  I told him I was supposed to start in two weeks.  He had this huge grin on his face, "fist bumped" me, lol, and was really happy about it.  He said he was really glad I got it, and that he was actually going to be paired up with me, so we'd be partners!  Seriously, this is awesome.  The fact that the guy found out I applied and wanted me to be the one to get the job, that he was happy when he found out I did.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to putting all the past crap behind me and getting a fresh start.  I know a few people at the new location, and really miss working with them.  I will have a fun partner who loves his job.  I will be minutes from home.  It's rotating shift, but I love nights when everything is quiet, so no big deal.  

I just want to thank everyone for your support, advice, thoughts, well wishes.  It's finally over.  While I could have kept the fight up, I was able to make a settlement I'm ok with (reimbursed sick time/vacation time I had to use to because of the sexual harassment, a little cash, and a job change I'm excited about.  And, the guy who was harassing me, while not fired, he was demoted, and since that never happens, I consider it a big win.)  In the future, if I decide I want to move and go somewhere new, I can apply for three or four different positions, with experience, so this job will really help open up future options.

I have my countdown going 

[swamp]

Yay!!!!!!!

I'm really happy for you.  What will you be doing?   I understand if you need to post generalities, or can't answer. 

Best wishes to you and I hope all works out.

[ken a.k.a OMK]

Good news Apple.

[tskeeter]

Apple, sounds like a really great move for you from many different perspectives.  Congrats!

[Waffle]

Fantastic news!    

Does this mean you and your son will be together for his last year in high school?

[Apple]

Sept 4, 2015 11:58:24 GMT -5 swamp said:

Yay!!!!!!!

I'm really happy for you.  What will you be doing?   I understand if you need to post generalities, or can't answer. 

Best wishes to you and I hope all works out.

I do have to be general, because some of the work is pretty site specific, but instead of being an electrician I'll be more "floor take-care-of-stuff".  Investigate alarms, make rounds, take readings, clear out equipment for lock-out/tag-out equipment, learn how all the systems run (mechanical/electrical/etc), start/stop large equipment, run other systems...  

As an electrician, you have your favorite "floor guys" because a good one can make your job so much easier.  The job is what you make of it, some guys take the opportunity to become system/plant experts, study prints, etc, some sit around and chat when they don't have a specific task, some do a combo.  I want to be a good one, so I want to know the systems well, take the job itself seriously, but also take the time to just chat with other people.  

There are still some dangers to the job, but not near as many as there were being an electrician.  And, if you're careful about how you do things, you can minimize most of those dangers.

The good thing is, it's not behind a desk, I'll have the chance to learn full systems (already know the electrical portion of the systems for the most part, some will be a little different), if it's quiet, I can get in some exercise by walking/bicycling around, taking stairs, etc.  

Really hoping the reduced stress and being back on the floor will help kick-start a much-needed weight loss.  They also have a gym I can use on my days off or during down time (local gyms are expensive, and not 24 hour). 

[Apple]

Sept 4, 2015 12:09:05 GMT -5 Waffle said:

Fantastic news!    

Does this mean you and your son will be together for his last year in high school?

Yes!

On days I work nights, I'll be home when he gets home from school, and when he leaves in the morning, when I work days, I'll be home by dinner time.  Since I've never got to be home when he leaves for/gets home from school (except when I have Fridays off), it will be another new experience, lol.   

[cktc]

That's such great news! Congrats!

[Apple]

Another thing that helped boost my confidence...

When I found out I had made through the first selection process, I called up the best guy we have at my current location (he is at the promotion level now, and has been there since I started, but he's an awesome floor/controls guy).  I told him "You are the most critical, and honest person I know... Do you think I'd be qualified for this job, and good at this job?"  He said yes (with minimal training).  Later he said it will be easy for me, just keep learning all the time.  I have a lot of respect for this guy, so it meant a lot.

[Anne_in_VA]

Congratulations on the new job and the ability to be home with your son!

[Deleted]

AWESOME!!!!!! I am so happy for you. 

[Apple]

Thanks, everyone!  Have to hit the road soon (we're dorks, Weird Al concert tonight, and fighting holiday traffic to get there).  I just wanted to share and update everyone on the work situation.  Several people at work yesterday mentioned they haven't seen me smile like this in way too long.  It's good to "be back"!

[myrrh]

Yay Apple, I am so happy for you! 

[swamp]

Sept 4, 2015 12:36:21 GMT -5 Apple said:

Sept 4, 2015 11:58:24 GMT -5 swamp said:

Yay!!!!!!!

I'm really happy for you.  What will you be doing?   I understand if you need to post generalities, or can't answer. 

Best wishes to you and I hope all works out.

I do have to be general, because some of the work is pretty site specific, but instead of being an electrician I'll be more "floor take-care-of-stuff".  Investigate alarms, make rounds, take readings, clear out equipment for lock-out/tag-out equipment, learn how all the systems run (mechanical/electrical/etc), start/stop large equipment, run other systems...  

As an electrician, you have your favorite "floor guys" because a good one can make your job so much easier.  The job is what you make of it, some guys take the opportunity to become system/plant experts, study prints, etc, some sit around and chat when they don't have a specific task, some do a combo.  I want to be a good one, so I want to know the systems well, take the job itself seriously, but also take the time to just chat with other people.  

There are still some dangers to the job, but not near as many as there were being an electrician.  And, if you're careful about how you do things, you can minimize most of those dangers.

The good thing is, it's not behind a desk, I'll have the chance to learn full systems (already know the electrical portion of the systems for the most part, some will be a little different), if it's quiet, I can get in some exercise by walking/bicycling around, taking stairs, etc.  

Really hoping the reduced stress and being back on the floor will help kick-start a much-needed weight loss.  They also have a gym I can use on my days off or during down time (local gyms are expensive, and not 24 hour). 

So  you go from a master electrician to a jack of all trades?    That sounds interesting, and very challenging. 

[Chocolate Lover]

That is the best news I've heard all week!!! Sooooooo happy for you Apple!!!  Have fun at Weird Al tonight!

[zibazinski]

Thank you for updating us all.

[taz157]

Sept 4, 2015 13:35:31 GMT -5 Chocolate Lover said:

That is the best news I've heard all week!!! Sooooooo happy for you Apple!!!  Have fun at Weird Al tonight!

Yeah that!!!! I'm so happy you are getting out of your current position and you can stay with your DS!

[NastyWoman]

PARTY!!!

[mmhmm]

Apple, I could totally dance with joy! I'm so happy for you! You've been through a lot where you are now and you've handled it all beautifully. Now, comes the reward! The new job sounds great and I think you'll find you really like that work schedule. Congratulations!

[resolution]

Congratulations! I am so happy for you!

[Jake 48]

Good Luck and congratulations

[quince]

I'm so happy to read this!

[tcu2003]

Congrats! That's awesome news! So excited for you!

[TheHaitian]

I am so happy for you

[debthaven]

Me too! That's fantastic Apple!!!

[Bonny]

<Bonny fist bumps Apple>

I am SO happy for you! What a comeback from that hellish scenario.

Enjoy your concert!

[Ava]

Congratulations, Apple

I'm glad it worked out for you after having to go through a very difficult time.

[Cookies Galore]

Congratulations, Apple! The new job sounds like an exciting challenge!

[Jaguar]

That is fantastic news, I'm so very glad and happy for you, congrats. Go Get Em' Tiger!

[NoNamePerson]

            Fantastic news!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!